FORT WAYNE – It’s a Panda Express promenade.
The Chinese food chain plans to invest more than $1.2 million at two stand-alone restaurants in Fort Wayne.
Construction crews are already busy on a 2,448-square-foot eatery in front of Kohl’s at Apple Glen Crossing and a carbon copy is slated to rise on Lima Road in front of Home Depot, although the timetable for that location is not known, according to Allen County records.
Management at Panda Express sites inside the food courts at Jefferson Pointe and Glenbrook Square are uncertain whether the company will continue to operate all of the eateries. The Apple Glen restaurant is scheduled to open in July. The developments could create up to 30 jobs, management said.
“We’re not sure what’s going to happen at this point,” said Brittany Brownrigg, manager at the Panda Express at Jefferson Pointe, which she said opened in 2001.
“We have had customers saying they’d like to be able to come in without having to come into the mall. So, it’s more of a convenience thing,” said said.
Jefferson Pointe General Manager Mike Brooks said in recent years Panda Express has steadily distanced itself from food courts in favor of its own digs.
“That’s kind of been the way they’ve been doing business lately,” he said. “I don’t know what their plans are. I do know they have a lease coming up in the fall.”
Glenbrook Square General Manager Brian Cote was unavailable for comment. Panda Express opened there in 1998, management said.
Officials at the Indiana Restaurant Association in Indianapolis say Panda Express owners may be looking to pull away from food court fare, which is mostly fast-food.
“They’re more fast-casual,” said John Livengood, president and CEO of the group. “We’re starting to see quite a few new restaurants, which is good after two really bad years. It’s a good sign for the economy in general. I’m not surprised Panda Express wants to become more of a destination.”
